[Miss Marple]

Excellent commentary on La Belle, Ivan, and I heartily concur.

I detest those who set themselves up as pseudo-intellectual, pseudo-rational critics of all things American (and British, for that matter).

[MadIvan]

What La Belle Dame doesn't want to understand is that this is a issue of simple courtesy. The French and Germans are not being asked to supply troops. Nor are they being asked to even vote positively in favour of war against Iraq. What is being requested is their mere silence as more morally and militarily capable nations defend themselves by taking out Saddam Hussein.

That is not a symptom of imperial pretentions. It is a request for good manners.

Regards, Ivan

[LaBelleDameSansMerci]

,,,I detest those who set themselves up as pseudo-intellectual, pseudo-rational critics of all things American (and British, for that matter)....

I'm not sure you comprehend the meaning of the word "all". If the war against Iraq is "all things American" then we're in even bigger trouble than the most melancholy observer could imagine.

Also, I think you're confusing the word "American" with the word "Bush".

It seems to be a common mistake around here these days.....